REPOST RIGHT AWAY, MY GOOD MAN! HELP YOUR FRIENDS TO GET CLOSE TO THE WORK OF MERCY!

It was the most challenging step in her life. Everyone was against it: her parents, children... "But when you have the Lord with you, there's nothing to fear, even if the whole world is against you!"  Sister Elene says. 

Listening to her is a true pleasure; her words bring peace, and her reflections on God, life, good, and evil make you contemplate many things. 

- How long have you been a nun, and how did you come to the decision to dedicate your life to God?

Sister Elene: I've been a nun for 18 years. Making such a decision was not easy for me. I'll tell you how it all happened. I grew up in a family filled with love. I had wonderful parents, grandparents, and I was raised in a family where everyone respected and loved one another. When I was in my third year of college, I started a family. I have three children and six grandchildren. Twenty years of married life were very difficult. I found solace in reading books by the holy fathers and in prayer. And then I made the decision to enter the convent. My children couldn't accept my decision, and my mother was against it as well, but God helped me do what my heart was guiding me towards. 

- What was your life like in the nunnery?

Sister Elene: I can't say that life in the nunnery was easy. The first few years were quite difficult.  Then I was directed to serve the elderly and infirm. My abbess said that I would be more useful living in the city and caring for the elderly. So, since 2014, I've been involved in this work. I always feel the presence of God! I pray every day for my wards to be comfortable, to have food and medications. And miraculously, God sends me everything through kind-hearted people! 

- So, the Lord loves you!

Sister Elene: I once told my mentor that God loves me. You know what he replied? He said that God loves those I care for - the elderly. God never leaves the weak alone. If I were to die today, He would send another person to take care of my wards, someone who can care for them better than I can.

- How does your monastic life influence your attitude toward the world and life in general?

Sister Elene: I'm no better than anyone else. Being a nun, wearing black, means I have more responsibilities before the Lord. I have to endure even more trials when I'm among laypeople. Sometimes, I get angry with the staff who help me care for the elderly. But this happens very rarely, and I always repent afterward. 

- Do you serve society and help the lonely and the sick because your position requires it, or is it because you can't do it any other way?

Sister Elene: This is how I serve the Lord. As long as I can be of help to someone, I will do it. Don't think that in a convent, you can simply decide to open a home for the elderly and go take care of them – no!  In the convent, there is its own regimen, its own rules. I was directed here; my mentor blessed me for this work.  We, nuns, cannot choose by ourselves what we will be doing. 

- Could you engage in such a challenging job if you were a layperson?

Sister Elene: I don't know. Perhaps, without the help and support of the Lord, it would be very difficult. But maybe I wouldn't take everything so close to my heart.

- Which is more difficult, here or in the convent?

Sister Elena: here! Definitely here. What is life in the convent like? It's prayers and work – prayers and work. And here, there are responsibilities. I'm responsible for each one of them. I also get very attached to them, and their passing from this life deeply saddens me. I'm also responsible for their souls; not everyone here has a "good" character. Some can be very aggressive. They might even insult and curse... all of this needs to be accepted with love. I fervently pray for their souls. 

- Do you choose who to help?  Would you help an alcoholic or a drug addict?

Sister Elene: I am obligated to help everyone. Their background, faith, or lifestyle doesn't matter.  It's not for me to judge them. I love all my residents. Right now, there is a woman here who has cancer. She experiences severe pain, and she has family, but her only son passed away, and now she feels unwanted. You know, it's so sad. Every day, she asks, "Has anyone come to visit me?" It brings tears to my eyes. 

- Why do you think it happens that suddenly these people become unwanted to their families?

Sister Elene: Well, there can be various situations.  Some families simply get rid of the elderly as if they were excess baggage, while others just can't manage the care of the elderly. Nowadays, if you're not working, you won't be able to buy the necessary medications for a sick person. And leaving some of them alone at home is simply unsafe! That's how one woman ended up in my "lazaret." Her children used to come every day, bringing everything not only for her but also for others. Their mother couldn't recognize them. It was doubly hard for the children to come to terms with this. Everyone has their cross to bear. God won't give anyone a cross of such weight that they can't bear.

- Do you believe that a person can live without sin?

Sister Elene: In our world, it's almost impossible. But to draw near to God, you have to be humble, you have to be in obedience. I would say that the most dangerous sin for a person is arrogance.  All troubles come from there. 

- Now let's talk about your "lazaret." What is the main problem in your shelter at the moment?

Sister Elene: The main problem is diapers and medication. Parishioners often help us with food. Monks also provide vegetables and fruits that they grow themselves. One could say that we don't have problems with food. Not a day goes by without someone stopping by and bringing something delicious for my elderly ladies.   So, the biggest need is diapers, hygiene products, and medication. That's why I addressed your Fund. 

- How many beneficiaries do you have, and what is their condition? 

Sister Elene: Right now, I have 12 elderly ladies.  Three of them are in the hospital, and three have passed away recently. I'm expecting some new arrivals.  I never have an empty house. Either the Patriarchy calls, asking me to take someone in, or they bring a person who is completely homeless and without documents. 

- Do your wards get along with each other?

Sister Elene: It's hard to say. I can't claim they love each other. Sometimes they argue. They all have challenging personalities. Apparently, they end up here not due to an easy life. I'm a nun, and sometimes I can't control my emotions. You do good things, but they won't even say a simple thank you. I used to despair because of this, but then I got used to it. We do what we do not for the sake of gratitude. 

- How else can we help the shelter besides providing diapers and hygiene products?

Sister Elene: I'm most afraid of winter. If we don't keep the house warm, it will be very tough for our unfortunate wards. Maintaining such a huge house is no small expense. I hope that maybe some kind-hearted person will step forward and take on this vital responsibility by covering our elderly ladies' utility bills. 

- What would you wish for the friends of our Fund?

Sister Elene: I wish that you always feel the presence of the Lord. May He be with you always. Never judge others. Everyone has their own cross to bear. Be tolerant, strive to be modest and humble, do good, and carry your cross with joy. Embrace and love the elderly. We will all grow old, and no one knows what fate awaits us. I wish for all of us to feel the pain of others and be able to genuinely rejoice in someone else's happiness. That's what love is. And where there is love, there is God! 

"The Lazaret" has become a shelter for elderly ladies who have been abandoned and forgotten, even by their own families.  Among the residents of the "Lazaret" are those whose families can no longer or do not want to take care of them, and Sister Elene has taken on this challenging mission.

Life in the "Lazaret" is about service and compassion. Sister Elene not only cares for the physical well-being of the women but also provides them with spiritual care. Her days are filled with prayer, reading the Holy Scriptures, and interacting with the residents of the home. She has to deal with illnesses, aging, and loss, but her faith in the Lord and her belief that her service is a gift from God sustain her in difficult moments.

This nun has shown that God works in mysterious ways She left the comfort of the nunnery to care for the most vulnerable members of our society.   Her story serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion and serving others, especially those who are in the greatest need. 

May this post be an inspiration to all of us to find ways to serve others, like this dedicated nun, and contribute to creating a better world.

If you are willing to visit the shelter and help them in person, here is their address: Tbilisi, Sanzona, 46 Nagomari Str. 

Every time you can help someone, just do it, and rejoice that God answers someone's prayers through you!

We are sure that all together we will manage to save them from imminent death.

Please don’t forget to repost our story. Let your friends know about the grief of this family! It’s extremely important!

Friends, there is one more request: if you know about the misfortune of a neighbor or friend do a godly deed, drop us an email at: office-fsp@fsp.ge

Our Fund’s accounts are:

  - In Bank of Georgia GE42LB0115113036665000

  – In TBC Bank GE15TB7194336080100003;

  – In Liberty Bank GE42LB0115113036665000;

  (Purpose: Lazaret shelter)

You can also transfer money from our website: TБC Bank (GeoPay), Bank of Georgia (e-commerce), Liberty Bank (PayGe), PayPal.

It is also possible to transfer money from TBCpay, ExpressPay and PayBox (OPPA) terminals. Find our Fund under "Charity" section (you can read more about rights and responsibilities of the Fund following the link https://goo.gl/GY2Gus).

  We have already helped thousands of disadvantaged people! Let’s support this family too! And who knows, maybe someday we ourselves will need the help of strangers! Life is always unpredictable!

Even if you dial once this special number, it might save someone's life: 0901200270! God bless you!